San Diego Law Library celebrates 120th anniversary

The San Diego County Public Law Library celebrated its 120th anniversary Friday. The library was founded on June 10, 1891, when the San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved Ordinance 57, creating a law library in the county.

The law library was originally housed in judges' chambers until it was moved to the courthouse basement when the collection grew in volume and weight. In 1958, the library moved to a dedicated building at 1105 Front Street in downtown San Diego.

Branches opened at the Vista courthouse in 1973, at the Chula Vista courthouse in 1982 and at the El Cajon courthouse in 1983.

Today, the law library is rebuilding, reinventing and reinvigorating the way it serves the legal information needs of the community. San Diego Law Library has more than 200,000 print and electronic resources available throughout its four locations.